American Idol Roll Call Saturday, January 20, 2007 - I don't think even the American Idol machine knew what they were creating five years ago. Going off their success with Pop Idol, they were probably only counting on one or two new recording artists. Yet, after just five seasons, there have been over one hundred number one CDs. Each year brings not just one success, but always at least two, and sometimes more. Three of the final six last season have hit CDs out currently, the runner-up's CD will debut in a few weeks, and more are expected from this talented group. Season One
America voted bubbly Kelly Clarkson to be their first Idol. She held out as the winner because of creative differences, and eventually made the CD she wanted, a hit CD. A few years later she released a CD that is still churning out hits, and later was rewarded with a Grammy award. The others that season had success, but not to the same degree. Juster Guarini released a CD shortly after Clarkson's, but didn't do nearly as well. They also starred together in the not-so-successful film From Justin to Kelly. Coming in fourth place that first season, Tamyra Gray not only is a successful songwriter and singer, she also was a regular on the television series Boston Public.
Season Two
The following year, everyone was looking for another Kelly, but the superstars to come out of season two were quite different. In one of the closest finales ever, Ruben Studdard was pronounced the winner over Clay Aiken. Studdard has gone on to record three successful CDs, but in many ways Aiken is even more popular, having also released three CDs, with the first going triple platinum, thanks to his fan group called the Claymates, and the second, a Christmas CD, going platinum. Kimeberley Clarke released an album, and after his time in the service was done, Joshua Gracin released a country music album. Kimberly Caldwell has gone on to have a career on television, appearing on the TV Guide Channel.
Season Three
The third season of American Idol didn't seem to have as many breakout stars as the second season. Winner Fantasia Barrino released two albums and also wrote an autobiography which was turned into a movie, Life Is Not a Fairy Tale, based on her earlier years as a teenage single mother. The runner-up that year was Diana DeGarmo who was just 16, and after promoting an album, turned to theatre, starring in Hairspray. George Huff and Jon Peter Lewis have released CDs as well, but perhaps the most successful to escape season three is Jennifer Hudson, who recently starred in the film version of Dreamgirls, and won a Golden Globe as best supporting actress.
Season Four
Season four brought the most successful contestant yet to the show in Carrie Underwood. After being crowned American Idol, she had the top-selling album of all the alumni albums released to that point, and became the top-selling female country album of all time. She went on to win many awards, among them two Country Music Awards, two People's Choice Awards, and several Billboard Music Awards. Her runner-up, Bo Bice, has released an album, despite having several health problems since finishing the show. Constantine Maroulis continued to tour with his band Pray for the Soul of Betty, yet later left for a solo career. While working on a solo album, he has signed a deal with Kelsey Grammer's production company, and has also revived his musical theatre career, after appearing in Rent pre-American Idol.
Season Five
This past season probably has more successful offspring than any other. Not only has a successful album been released by the winner, Taylor Hicks, but also the runner-up, Katharine McPhee, is releasing an album at the end of the month, and albums have also been released by other popular season six contestants, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler. Several other contestants from that year have also signed record deals, such as Elliott Yamin, Bucky Covington, and Mandisa, with the latter also writing a book to be released this upcoming summer. -LT
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